Flying-machine.



A. H. SMITH.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION man Nov.21, 1915.

Patented Oct. 3, i916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

A. H'. SMITH.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION man Nov.27. 1915.

Patented 0111. 3,1916.

A. H. SMITH.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLrcATxoN FILED Nov.2r.19fs.

Patented Oct. 3,1916

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 .l m" nvm/mn By 7'/ Y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.ALBERT HERBERT SMITH, F GREAT FALLS, MONTANA.

FLYING-MACHINE.

Application filed November 27, 2915.

To all ywhom t may con/'ern Be it known that l, ALBERT HERBERT Snrrrr, a citizen of the United States. and a resident of Great Falls, in the county of Cascade and State of Montana, have inlvented a certain new and useful Improv inent in l `lying-)Tachines, oi' which the folA lowing is a specification.

'"My invention is an impr'ved aerial na vi gating machine of the heavicr-than-air type and consists in the constructions, arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.4

The principal object of my.' inve' Lion is to provide a machine of the cies described in which all stresses to which it may ordinarily be subjected are transmitted to the framing which is constructed and braced in such a manner thatithe strains imposed on it, must equal the crushing strength ol the material from which the traine is made, before it will collapse.

Another object of the invention is the provision ofY devices for maintaining and restoring the equilibrium of the machine, these devicesbeing comparatively simple of construction and consequently easy of operation.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which :-V

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the niachine as in flight. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective View partly in section, of the horizontal stabilizing planeuniversal joint. Fig. 3 is aperspective view of the machine as viewed from another point. Fig. 4 is a detail erspective view of a partof the main p ane showing the covering partly removed from hthe ribs. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the drums and pulleys. Figs. 6 and 7 are diagrammatic views hereinafter referred to. Figs. 8 and 9 are diagrammatic Views of other parts of the machine to be hereinafter referred to.

.A In the drawings, 1 is the main mast which as will be seen from igs. 1 and 3, is disposed vertically. The mast 1 supports a horizontally andjlongitudinalltl disposed beam 2 at a place approximately two-thirds 4of the height ofA the mast 1; the beam 2 is secured tothe `mast l at a place about twothirds of its length so that the short forwardly extending portion forms a ,brace Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1916.

serial No. 63,732.

support and the longer rearwardly extending portion forms a support for the rudders, etc. which will bc described.

Slightly above the connection of the mast 1 arid beam 2 and secured to the mast l in any suitable manner as indicated in Fig. 4. 4is the main lateral beam 3 of the main supporting plane which is generally indicated by 4. The main plane 4 is compos al of a suitable number of ribs 5 which are covered with a suitable weather-proof fabric 6, the fabric being drawn wer both the top and bottom of the ribs as shown in the drawings. The main plane 4 is set at an angle of incidence of approximatel;v three to six degrees this being done to cause the proper reaction to sustain the machine in the air when in flight.

Mounted below the main plane 4 and in parallelism therewith is an auxiliary sustaining plane 7 which is Substantially diamond" shaped in form asshown in Fig. 1. The plane 7 is mounted on wires or ropes stretched between certain ones of the brace wires of the framing, and may be formed by ribs similar to those in the main plane 4. Y

The frame of the machine `which consists principally of the mast 1, and the longitudinal and transverse beams 2 and 3, respectively, is braced by wires, the ,principal ones ot' these being secured to an'anchor 8 located at the foremost end of the longitudinal beam 2. the anchor S to the extremities of the transverse beam 8 where a common connection Brace Wires 9 and 10 extend from.

miY

hold other race wires 17 and (18 whichexy tend to the top and bottom ends of the mast 1; fromthence they wires 19 and 20y extend rearwardly and are connected tothe beam 2.

near the rear end thereof.

A cable 21 stretched between the wires 13 and -14 as shown `in dottedlines in Fig. 1 forms the basis of the auxiliary plane 7 the bounding edge of which is formed by the ics cable 22 which is secured with the. cable 21 110 .pulleys to the wires 13 and 14. The cable 22 is held in shape and place by additional brace wires 23 and 24.

lVhen on the ground, the machine rests on the wheels 25 which are mounted on a cross bar on the lower end of the mast 1, suitable braces being provided to preserve the rigidity of the cross bar. `A skid 26 is secured to the rear end of the beam 2 as shown and serves t0 hold the machine in the proper attitude for rising into the air.

The 4rectifying plane 27 consists of fabric drawn over the upper portion of the nverging brace wires 17 and 19 as shown in Fig. 1. The purpose of the plane 27 is to intercept any lateral air current which might destroy the equilibrium of the machine; when the force of the. air is exerted against the plane 27, the machine is caused to tilt to one side at which time certain devices hereinafter to be described, are brought into action Aand restore the balance of the machine.

Mounted on a bar 28 arranged parallel to the main plane 4 and just below the rectify` ing plane 27, is a stabilizing plane 30. The bar 28 of the plane 30 is rotatably mounted in the bore of the universal joint 29 which is located in the interior of the mast 1. The universal joint 29 is provided with trunnions 31 at opposite sides; these trunnions rest in suitable bearings in the body of the mast l, as shown. The plane 30 is formed by ribs 32, as shown in F ig. 2, over which the fabric is drawn. The universal joint 29 permits the plane 30 to be tilted longitudinally or laterally as the occasion may require.

The stabilizing plane 30 is tilted by means of a pair of sheaves 33 and 34 which are mounted 0n a shaft bracket 36n from the mast l as shown in Fig. 5. Each one of the sheaves is inde-Y pendently operable by a lever 36 and 37. The levers and sheaves are located within convenient reach of the aviator on the seat 38 the seat being suitably suspended and braced as shown.

cable 39 is wound once or twice around the sheave 33 and from thence each part of the cable extends over suitably located guide 40-40n and 41-41" upwardly through the main plane 4; the parts of the cable then take over other guide pulleys 42--42 and the ends of the cable parts are secured fore and aft of the plane 30. The rotation of the sheave 33 causes the longitudinal tilting of the plane 30. Similarly, a cable 43 Winds over the sheave`34 from whence the parts thereof are guided over pulleys 44-44n and 45-15 to other guide pulleys 46--46n and then are secured laterally of the plane 30. The rotation of the sheave 34 causes the plane 30 to be tilted laterally.

f edges of the 35 and supported by a,

A shaft 47 is located below the seat-38 and a palr of treadles 48 and 49 are supported on this shaft as shown in Fig. 9.

Each one ofthe treadles is secured to a and 49 and cables 54 and 55 the arm 56 of the horizontal rudder 57 while the cable 55 is secured to the arm 58 of the vertical rudder 59 both of the rudders being suitably mounted on the framing of the machine. The aviator can shift either rudder 57 or 59 by rotating either treadle 48 or 49.

Either side of the planes 4 and 7 may simultaneously be Warped for banking the machine when making a turn by the application of the aviators weight against one or the other side of the shiftable chair arms 60-60. A cable 61 is secured to the front planes 4 and 7 at one side as shown in Fig 6 and passes over a guide pulley 62 which is supported by the brace wire 11; from thence the cable 61 passes over another pulley 63 located at the top of the mast 1 and then downwardly and over-a pulley 64 to the arm 60x11 of the seat. A similar cable G5 is secured to the opposite front. edges of the planes 4 and 7 and passes over pulleys 66, 67, 68, and 69 and is fastened to the other arm 60 of the seat. lVhen the aviator applies his weight against either one of the chair arms, the corresponding side of the planes 4 and 7` are warped by means of the cables just described.

The rear edges of the planes 4 and `7' are connected by cables 66 and 67 as shown in Fig. 3, springs 66 and 67 being interposed so that a resilient connection is afforded the planes when warped, the springs also serving to assist in returning the planes to their normal position when the aviator releases the pressure. Other cables 68 and 69 are connected between the rear edges of the plane 4 and the brace wires 1l and 12 suitable springs 68a and C9 being interposed in the cables as shown. The engine 70 is supported on the frame of the machine in any suitable manner and may be of any approved design( The propellers 71 and 72 are driven by the engine through the chains as shown in Fig. 3.

Having thus described the construction of the machine. the method of its operation is as follows: By reference to Fig. 6 it will be seen that the side by the force of a gust of wind against the top plane 27. Tlns tilting of the machine naturally disturbs the `center of gravmachine has been tilted to one f "two planes against the air and the machine is in consequence again righted. If the rudders are found necessary to augment the balance restoring functioh of the planes as just-described, the aviator can-readily manipulate either treadle 48 or 49 as the loccasion may dictate. In making a turn while in mid-air, the aviator must shift his Weight toward that side on which the planes 4 and 7 are to be warped so that the centrifugal action on the machine and the consequent disturbing of the center of gravity be counteracted by banking the machine against the air on the opposite side against which the turn is 'to be made. The turning of the machine is assisted by shifting the vertical rudder 59.

The stabilizing plane 30 is used in ascending and descendingV and when performing this function it is assisted by the horizontal rudder A57 the plane 30 being shifted by the sheave 33 as previously described. The

` 'an auxiliary plane spacedwfrom and parallelingvthe main plane, means for bracing the vplane is shifted laterally by the sheave 34 to correct minor disturbances of the equilibrium of-the machine at such times when the warping of the main'planes does not become necessary.

Obviously vvariations and modifications of the structure of the machine may be made without departing from ythe spirit of the inventionor the scope of the claims.

I claim l. In a flying machine, the combination of a mast, a longitudinal horizontal beam, a transverse horizontal beam, a main plane disposed on the transverse horizontal beam,

mast, beams and planes end to end, and means for simultaneously warping the main and auxiliary planes. i

2. In a flying machine, a main vertical mast, a longitudinal horizontal beam, a transverse horizontal beam, a main plane disposed on the transverse horizontal beam,

an auxiliary plane disposed below the mainV plane and parallel therewith, means for bracing the mast and beams end to end,

' means for warping corresponding edges of the coincident planes simultaneously, and means for propelling the machine through the air.

3. In a flying' machine, a main vertical mast, a longitudinal horizontal beam, a transverse horizontal beam, a main plane disposed on the transverse horizontal beam, an auxiliary plane disposed below the main plane and parallel therewith, a stabilizing plane mounted on the vertical mast and located above the main plane, a rectifying plane mounted on the main mast and located above the stabilizing plane, means for warping corresponding edges of the superimposed main and auxiliary planes simultaneously, means for shifting thestabilizing plane, means for bracing the mast and beams end to end, and means for propelling the machine through the air.

l. In a flying machine, a main vertical masts a longitudinal horizontal beam, a transverse horizontal beam, brace wires connected between the extreme ends of the respective mast and beams one with another,

-a main supporting plane disposed on the transverse beam, horizontal and vertical rudders located at the rear end of the longitudinal beam, a landing skid adjacent the rudders, ground wheels at the lower end of the'vertical mast, Jneans for warping the front edges of the main plane and means for turning the rudders on theirpivots.

5. In a flying machine, the combination with the frame; of a longitudinal horizontal beam, a vertical and a horizontal rudder xnovably mounted on the rear end of the beam, crank arms coperating with each rudder, a shaft located in the body of the machine, treadles'movably mounted on the shaft said treadles being movable independently of each other', an arm coperating with each treadle, and cables connected between the ends of the treadle arms with the respective ends of the rudder arms.

6. In a flying machine, a main vertical mast, a longitudinal horizontal beam, a transverse horizontal beam, brace wires connected between the extreme ends of the mast and beams one with the other, a main supporting plane disposed on the transverse beam, an auxiliary supporting plane located below the main plane and having support on certain of the brace wires, movable arms located adjacent the seat of the aviator, a cable connected at one end to .each4 of the arms and at its other end to the front edges of the superimposed main and auxiliary planes one of said cables being connected at one side while the other is connected at the' mast, a longitudinal horizontal beam, a

transverse horizontal beam, brace wires connected between the extreme ends of the mast and beams one with the other,.a mainsupporting plane disposed on the transverse beam,-an auxiliary supporting plane located below the main plane and having support'on certain of the brace wires, movable arms located adjacent the seat of the aviator, al cable connected at oneend to eachV of the arms and 110 at its other end to thel front edges of the superimposed main and auxiliary planes one of said cables being connected at one side while the-other is connected at the opposite side, said cables being guided by pulleys, and means for returning the planes after flexure, said means comprising' cables connected between the rear edges of the main and'auxiliary planes at both sides and between the main plane and the adjacentwire brace each of said cables having an inte posed retractile spring.

8. In a ying machine, the combination with the main vertical'mast, and a member mounted on the mast to tilt laterally about a longitudinal axis, of a transverse shaft .mounted inthe said member to`tilt therewith and rotatable about a longitudinal axis, a stabilizing plane supported by the shaft, and independent 'means for moving the said member and sha-ft separately to angularly adjust the stabilizing plane longitudinally and laterally.

9. In a flying machine, the combination with a mast and a member mounted on the mast to tilt laterally about a longitudinal axis, of a shaft rotatably mounted in said member and adapted to tilt therewith, a stabilizing plane mounted on said shaft, independent sheaves under control of the 19perator, and cables vpassing around such sheaves and havingconnection with the said `shafts and stabilizing plane t'o move each independently, whereby such stabilizing plane may be tilted laterally and longitudinally.

.1.0. In a flying machine, thecombination with the main verticalmast; of a universal joint having a traverse circular bore, said joint having circular tr'unnionsat each side for support m corresponding openingsm the mast, a shaft rotatably mounted in .the

bore of the universal joint, said shaft eX-4 tending at each side, a stabilizing plane disposed on the shaft at each side of the mast,

and means for rocking the plane on its latend ofl the aforesaid masts, a rectifying plane disposed .at the top of the .verticali mast and' having support on the adjacent brace wires, and independently operablev means for warping one edge of the main`rl plane when the rectifying' plane is deflected by'wind pressure.

ALBERT HERBERT SMITH. Witnesses:

FLETCHER MADDOX, W. H. MEIGS. l 

